Control system for automatic telephone-switches.



F. R. MCBERTY. CNTROL SYSTEM FOR AUTOMATIC TELEPHONE SWIIGHES APPLICATION FILED DB0. ff. 1912 ymm .Patented June i6, i934.

www@ 31: wwf/W initiate sequence ROBERT MCBEBJTY,

or A Nrwnar, BELGIUM, AssIG'Non 'ro Wn's'rEnN :ELECTRIC COMPANY, or NEW YORK, N. Y., AcoRronA'rIoNor ILLINOIS.

CONTROL SYSTEM FOB AUTOMATIC TELEPHONE-SWITCHES.

i .i cones.

'Specification of Letters r'atent.

Patented June 16, 1914.

Application led December 7, 1912. Serial No. 735,420. -f

Toall relu/mit may concern:

llc it known that I, FRANK R. MCBERTY.

a citizen of the United States, residing at nativ-erp. in the Province of Antwerp and J Kingdom of Belgium, have invented a cer tain new and useful improvement in Controi Systems for Automatic Telephone- Suitches, of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and eXact description.

This invention relatez. to ypower-driven switching apparatus or selectors for autos matic or semi-automatic telephone systems and its object is'to avoid unnecessary running or' the switch driving mechanisms. To tais end the. circuit of a motor or other power-controlling device is arranged to be `closed, by a so-callefil power relay or other suitable means, the winding or magnet coil of which is included in the path vof battery supply to the several circuits of the system. in consequence of this arrangement, the re lav is energized and the motor or controliixig device is operated to Start the power mechanism for the switches whenever a circuit is closed at any point of thesystem. The batterywire including the winding o the power-'relay may be arranged to supply current to line relays actuated by the removing of the receivers of subscribers to calls and this is preferable in order that the power mechanism for the switches may begin to move vas soon as any call cornes in.

ln systems where the automatic switches are controlled through the medium of magnetic clutches, magnets or such clutches may be also suppiied through the Winding of. the' motor starting relay, thus insuring the`start1ng of the motor simultaneouslywith the exc1ta tion of the clutch magnets.

in orderto avoid unnecessary starting and stopping of the motor or power-corr.

trolling-device in making up a connect-ion and during conversation the principal con-- trolling switches for the selectors, known as sequence switches, are provided with coniacts which are closed, to'complete the circuit oit' the power relay, except-When the switches are in normal position. These contacts thus serve vto maintain vthe motor active, when once started, until the sequence switch is returned to normal -position.

Preicraliiy, the automatic switches in a l telephone system4 embodying the current to the eleetro.

- tracted to the disk 15. so

shaft 16 rotates the disk 12 by'means of fr1c' this invention are divided into groups, cach group be ing provided with a separate motor or power-controlling device and a separate power relay for starting the motor or excit-` ing the controlling device so that the arrival of a call will cause only the motor or controlling deviceof a single group to be operated.

The invention may be embodied in sys tems of various types, one embodiment bein shown in the accompanying drawing .w ich represents part of the system of circuits of a `semi-autor'natic telephone ex change.

Two automat-ic switches A and B are indicated in the drawing. A, usually referred'to as a selector, distributes the incoming calls by conncctingthe contacts of the calling line to a connecting circuit of an answering operator.. Contacts 1, 2, 3, 4 of this selector associated with a subscriber-s line are secured in a block of insulating material supported in a frame which is 'not shown. Brushes 5, 6, 7, 8 for cooperation with the contacts are pivoted on axis 9 and pressed against the contacts by springs 10.

The current is conducted to the brushes through the springs 10, which are insulated from each other and from the square shaft 11 by means of strips ofv insulating material. Furthermore, the'sp to the Alines in the slmple manner shown but through collector ringsl andbrushes in a well known way. The brushes 5, 6, 7 f8 are also is revolved b'yrneans of the disk 1'2 consisting of va magnetic iron ring 13 and a flexible metal plate 14. At right an les to this disk is an iron disk 15 fastene to a shaft 16 driven by the motor 61. Adjacent the riiig 1 3 and disk 15 a magnet 17 is situated which when excited causes the ring 13 to be atthat therevolyiug An electromagnet 18 tion. when excited serves lto stop the selector at the desired sition. As soon as this magnet is excite attracts the d'sk 12 causing lie rin he held and locked against lie en of its core.

At the upper part ofl the selector there is a deviceconsisting of a Aplate 1), provided with teethand spaces, ,and two brushes 2 0 and 21. The brushes yand 21l are pressed rings are not connected insulated from their shaft 9.. The selector a flexible metal against the plate`19 by the springs 22 and 23. Whenever brush 20 touches a tooth, con--4 tact between it and the plate is closed. This contactbetween brush 2O and plate 19 serves` to close a` short circuitlabout the relay 62 every time the brushes 5, 6, 7, 8 are between contacts. This sho-rt circuit is interrupted,

however, when the brushes are exactly opposite the contacts thereby permitting the selector to be stopped only when the brushes touch the contacts.

The other automatic switch B, usually referred to as a sequence switch, serves to open and close the talking and other conductors of the connecting circuit when required during the different phases of making a connection. It consists ofa vertical shaft 26 carrying a number of notched disks (not shown) and spring contacts 27 to 34 shown schematically at convenient points in the circuitdiagram. These contacts are closed by the notched disks at various points or steps away from normal as indicated by the numbers adjacenteach contact.

The sequence switch is operated through the medium of the magnetic clutch 43, 44, actuated by the electromagnet 45. The disk 43 like 12 is composed lof aniron ring and plate which bends undenthe in'liuence of the magnet 45 allowing the ring to touch the rim of disk 44. A number of temporary stopping pom'tions are assumed by the sequence switch. In the system disclosed they are positions 1 and 3. A contact device 7 5, open only at thesepositions, as` indicated by the numbers placed on the opposite side of 7 5 from the contact, prevents the sequence switch from stopping at any other than these temporary stopping positions. The contact is closed, to complete the energizing circuit of magnet 45at allother times including the intermediate 'positions 2, 4 and 5, over which the switch passes without stopping. y

The line wires 51, 52 of subscriber 50 are shown in normal condition, the receiver` beling on the hook and the wires connected to battery and ground through the back contacts of a cut-ofi' relay 53 and the winding of a line relay 54. The line wires also lead to the contacts 1 and 2 of the selector A. By lifting the receiver the line circuit is Iclosed, relay 54 operates and closes circuit through group relay 55 which is connected to battery supply Wire 70 and is thus in series with power relay 56. The circuit of these relays is from ground 57 over the batteries 58, 59, winding of relay 56, wire 70, winding of relay 55, the Contact Aof relay 54, and resist- 1,100, ses

ance 60 to ground. Power relay 56, which is oflow resistance, being o Jeratcd in this circuit 4closes the circuit of tlie motor 6l, thereby starting the latter. At the same time relay 55 closes circuit from ground to conductor 6G, contact 27 of sequence switch B (now in position 1), back contact of a test relayi62, winding of clutch magnet 17, winding` of power relay 56, batteries 59, 58 to grund 57. By the excitation of magnet 17 the selector A is started. The test brush 8 of selector A is connected to ojronnd over contact: 28 of the sequence switch, a high resistance winding 64 of relay 63 and winding of relay 62. As long as this brush is in engagement with some contact 4 of a subscribers line which is not calling or is i busy, relay 63 will remain unoperated and the selector will travel on, for in the ,case ot a line not calling and not connected to there will be no circuit from battery to energize the relay, while in the case of a busy line, where for example, some other selector like A has made connectiouwith such lino, there will have been a low resistance con nection to a multiple of contact 4 through low resistance relay Winding 65 and 62 ol` the other selector effectually shunting thc high resistance winding 64 of relay 6B of the testing selector so that insutlicient current can flow through it to effect its operation. ABut as soon as the test brush :l touches contact 4 of a calling subscriber, which contact previously had been connected to the battery wire through relay 55 and the contact of relay 54 by the operation of the latter, winding 64 of relay 63 receives sutlicient current to cause its operation. When so operated, it uts the low resistance winding 65 in multip e with the high resistance winding 64, and reduces considerably the resistance of the circuit through relay 62. As soon as the brushes 5 to 8 are exactly opposite contacts 1 to 4 of the. calling line, contact between plate 19 and brush 20 then being broken, relay 62 attracts its armature, thereby first interrupting the circuit of magnet 17, leading through the back contact of this relay, and then connecting the magnet 18, through the front contact of this relay, with the ground wire through contact 27,

conductor '66 and front contact of relay 55.

Selector Ais therebystopped. Simultaneonusly with the energiza'tion of magnet 18' a Vcircuit is established for magnet 45 from ground Y'57, batteries 58, 59, relay 56, conductor 7,0, magnet 45, upper contact 29 of the sequence switch B, frontcontact of relay 62, sequence switch contact 27, conductor 66, and. front contact of relay 55 to ground. This circuit merely serves to start'the movement of sequence switch B from its normal or first temporary stopping position l. lit continues to revolve, however, until it reaches the next temporary stopping posilo being com- .Soon as the ite normn po" l untii it reaches ,u :opcns end meg# i. tgl effi..

,in the tiret position oi tbe ecoiiencc switch f F- contzict :27, 213 and upper contat of ik onijs nre closed while contacte BOS and i j@ are open. the dosing of contact l in the second i 'tion causes cutcff relay 53 i cuit .from gigi-cunt?L 5 o8, GSL wii'xding of power i wire TC? relay 'f5 contact 'ornati i: contact 32., windings of reloj; GIS rfincing of rainy 32 to Relay 53 cuts the line reiaj/ f-t opens the ground and buttery iends 51, 52 of the culling Subscriber. is released and opens the circuit W' do efiding to the seiector. o 52 of subscriber 50 are new 1I'o the repcting i GT through thereby enebiing the opori More telephone se may be connected wires 68, GQ, to obtain the number ot l' 'zcriber Wanted. 'irereingon the op girlie-hes the desired connection. .ct in "ng coinpletce a circ ettcriee 58T .3S

in i i W t, 'finding of'powcr n wire 37 contracts e :unl resistance ground This circuit. is, for the z of insuring the ainqeriion of rek-Ly n when nii other wirc. t'eii from tietere coen; cioecd in :iii positions i Cn exciit tire [it- Sequence Siri the drei i cnw `ping position l.

5G ifs renewed V cosiir 'nel circuit,

cuits of this errang-woont is o imc. too nits not ation of ttiiercziy con i om battery direct. The 1 ehovvir i@ chosen to Show a nimm it corni notions in e singe cieiiwitciujas Strom-i in t c ctife n 'ne positions or cuir ce effectl'iinni'ir. Lamp "4' if; uit or Supervisory remgtim continuance oit opene subscriber eeiver. 'circuit of es 52k 59, through retire tinck Contact of i to ground. Receiving this eigna. eter presses key 73 aofi completes e .i gummi 57 ti'irongjh keyl '53%,

:ict imggnet L15, 1@inc I0 and rele etsii-ting the revele y by ineens of om cioece soon ce, the

Switch moves troni its tempore-ry stomping position and maintains the energizing' ircoit of magnet '45 closed iintii the sequence Switch arrives at its other tempera@ Stop-- 1 contact 32, and that relays and :fisc

ore cooperated because the subscriber had hung up his receiver, Thus ali circuits branched o'.x buttery fire IOv :ire opened and motor relay 5G stops the motor provife-( no other subscriber has cniied meanwhile.

)i p'nirziity of selettore connected as imdb ,ated to wire $6 in the manner of selector t 1113). be employed in accordance with the traffic requirements. n larger systems it is advisable to combine the Seectors in groups and to provide each group with e. seperate motor or other power controlling" magnet so that oniy that part of the system is put into operation in which :x cuil comes in or a connection dejiret or established 1. in n telephone exchange system the con'ibination with ein automatic switch, :l Sequence switch associated therewith, power mechanism therefor adapted for continuous operation anni chiches 'tor connecting Said power mechanism with said switches, of cir@ cuite for the control of said clutches, e coro- Ynon source of current supply for cirv cuits and means included in the path of said current adapted to contro the operation. of sciiti power mechanism and canse its con finned operation unti said sequence switch returns to its home position.

in n telephone exchange system the com 'iiimtion with automatic switches and power mechanism therefor, of subscribers lines, ine relays therefor7 eectromzigneticdevices for corrtroitingb the o aeration of: said. switches, circuits for Said reiays and. said devices, e

.common source of current suppiy for seid circuit@` and ineens included in the path or" Said current adapted .to stort and stop the power mecicnisinq in telephone exchange system the combination with, a plurality of automatic switches, sequent/e switches associate@ therewith, powermechanism therefor ade ated for continuous opeifetion end a clutch or c011- r'i'cting the power mechanism with ciclid tch, of a `motor adapted to drive the tower mechanism, a, source of currentenigv ply for the various circuits of the system anni ineens included, in the path of seid cur rent for starting scict motor sind for stoppingsaid motor when eil of scid sequence switches have returned to their home possi 'ion'.

iln e telephone exchange system "tie Contact T5 anc'l'ei the Combination with a plurality of automatic switches, power mechanism therefor adapted for continuous'operation and a clutch for connecting said power mechanism 'with each switch, of subscribers lines, line relays therefor, circuits for the control of said relays l and. of the clutches, a source of current supply forsaid circuits and: means included in the path of said current adapted to start 'and stop the ower mechanism. Y.

5. In a te ephone exchange system the combination with a plurality of automatic switches, sequence switches associated therewith, power mechanism therefor adapted for continuous operation, a clutch for connecting the power mechanism with each switch, a motor for driving said power mechanism, a relay adapted to close the circuit of said motor as long as one of said sequence switches is, out of its home position, circuits associated with said switches for controlling their operation, and a current supply conductor including the winding of said relay,

said circuits forming branches of said con-Y ductor. n.

6..In -a telephoneexchange syste-m the combination with ya selector and power mechanism-therefor adapted for continuous operation,of electromagnetic devices for the control Iof the various circuits of said system, a sequence switch for changing the circuits during lthevoperation ot' the selector and a local circuit-and device therein adapted to control the operation of the power mechanism, said local circuit being under the `control of said sequence switch.

,7, In a telephone exchange system, the combination with automatic switches, power mechanism' adapted to drive .said switches, a common source of current for said system, and means yactuated whenever current is flowing in said system to start and maintain in 'motion said power mechanism, and means for coupling said switches to said power mechanism.

8. ln a telephone exchange system, the combination with a plurality of lines, an automatic switch for interconnecting the same, a motor for driving said switch, and a relay adapted to be energized upon the initiation oi a call. to start said motor in motion, and means for maintaining Said motor active while a call is in progress.

9. ln a telephone exchange system, the combination with a plurality of lines, an automatic switch for interconnecting the' same, an electromeehanism adapted to govern the movements of said switch= power mechanism for driving said automatic switch and said clectromeehanism, means for coupling said switch and electromechanism to said power mechanism, and means adapted to render and maintain active said power mechanism only while a call is being established, pending` conversation, and is bciug disestablished.

10. In a telephone exchange system, thr' combination with a plurality of lines, an automatic switch for interconnecting the same,` power mechanism for driving said switch, means for coupling said switch to said power mechanism, and means adapted to render and maintain active said power mechanism only while a call is being established, pending conversation, and is being disestablished.

ln wit-ness whereof,`l hereunto subscribe my name this 6th day of December A. D., 1912.

FRANK ROBERT MCBERTY.

Vitnesses z ELLA EnLnn, VVALmR F. HOFFMAN. 

